Drilon: I am not on any Napoles list

by Ira Pedrasa, ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA - Even though Janet Napoles' list of those involved in the pork barrel scam has yet to be released, Senate President Franklin Drilon immediately doused speculations his name is on it.

In a press conference at the Senate, Drilon said: “My name is not, and will never be on any list because I have not assigned a single peso of my PDAF [Priority Development Assistance Fund] to any non-government organization of Mrs. Napoles.”

He said the same can be said for his other expenditures as a legislator.

He said the only organization he has dealt with is the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

This comes on the heels of statements from former Senator Panfilo Lacson that he has a draft copy of the Napoles affidavit.

Around 100 people were allegedly named, including 10 other senators besides the three (Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla) already indicted by the Office of the Ombudsman for plunder and graft.

Lacson said he got hold of the list even before Napoles sought the help of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

Asked if he would urge Lacson to reveal the list, the Senate president said: “If the list is supported by evidence, please go ahead. But if it’s just a plain list, I urge him to take into consideration the reputation of the institution.”

He believes that all allegations must be supported by a compelling documentary evidence for a case to prosper.

Drilon reiterated his call for others not to “muddle the issue by spreading lies and baseless accusations. We must not allow mudslinging and smear campaigns.”

He said he is for the prosecution of those involved even if it is “blind to any political color.”